Future NHL stars to watch in the World Juniors

	Michael Frolik (left) of the Czech Republic has much to prove, but the bright future of Sweden's Nicklas Backstrom (right) is set. Dave Sandford/GettyImages
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Watching Sidney Crosby  tear up the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders for 10 points last week, it's hard to believe he is still eligible to play for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.

They'll have to do without him, of course. The Penguins aren't making the NHL's best player available for this year's event, to be held from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in Leksand and Mora, Sweden.

Crosby is not the only junior-eligible NHL player who is off-limits to the Canadians. So are Jordan Staal, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Gilbert Brule and Guillaume Latendresse. But even without those young stars, Canada has 11 players returning from last year's team, and that makes them the early favorite to repeat as tournament champs.

As loaded as they are, Canada isn't the only club worth watching next week. At least two dozen players destined for NHL stardom are putting on their country's colors for the eight-team tournament. Here are the 11 we think are set to make an impact on junior hockey's biggest stage:

1. Erik Johnson, D, USA
(St. Louis Blues)

When the Blues called Johnson's name first overall last summer, there was no denying that his mastodonic performance at the previous WJC played a large role in building his rep. The rest of Team USA failed to live up to expectations in Vancouver, but the University of Minnesota freshman wildly exceeded them. He was a dominant physical presence, and his confidence with the puck and willingness to play a little loose with the rules earned him comparisons to Chris Chelios.

Johnson's made an easy transition to college hockey this season, leading the top-ranked Gophers with his two-way play (plus-15, 15 points). If the U.S. medals, Johnson likely will have emerged as the tournament's best defender.

2. Nicklas Backstrom, F, Sweden
(Washington Capitals)

Sweden hasn't developed a true superstar forward since Peter Forsberg, but that drought appears to be over with the arrival of the fleet-footed and creative Backstrom. The fourth overall pick in last summer's draft has been tearing up the Swedish Elitserien with Brynas, and would challenge Hakan Loob's single-season scoring record if not for the games he'll miss at the WJC.

Backstrom will be under tremendous pressure playing in front of the home crowd, especially given Tre Kroner's failure to medal in more than a decade. But the kid they're calling the Savior of Swedish hockey loves the spotlight. Backed by a strong supporting cast, he could lead his team to gold.

3. Marc Staal, D, Canada
(New York Rangers)

The second-oldest member of hockey's famous family wasn't blessed with the scoring ability of brothers Eric and Jordan, but his stay-at-home steadiness makes him one of the most important members of Team Canada. After shutting down world-class forwards like Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, Staal was named the top defenseman at last year's tournament, and he's expected to improve on that performance in Sweden. With Canada's goaltending a question mark heading into Sweden, the smart, physical play of Staal and partner Ryan Parent (Nashville) will be critical to the team's success.

4. Sam Gagner, C, Canada
(Draft eligible in 2007)

Underage prospects rarely make an impact in this tournament, but this 5'-11", 190-pound center is something special. Just 17, the son of former NHLer Dave Gagner may be Canada's most gifted offensive player. He caught the eye of scouts while tearing up the Ontario Hockey League, scoring 63 points in just 29 games with the London Knights, but won his spot on Team Canada with a gritty, two-way performance that belies his age and experience.

Just as Erik Johnson made his name in last year's tournament, Gagner could make himself the most coveted player in next summer's draft with a strong showing in Sweden.

5. Niklas Bergfors, F, Sweden
(New Jersey Devils)

Just days after saying they wouldn't release him for the tournament, the Devils gave Team Sweden a massive boost late last week by freeing Bergfors to play. No small sacrifice, that. The crafty right winger is a first liner with the Lowell Devils of the AHL and the team's third-leading scorer. A natural sniper, he'll be the primary beneficiary of Nick Backstrom's soft passes. Given New Jersey's offensive struggles, Bergfors is likely to be the first player from this year's event to graduate to the NHL.